Provost Peggy Agouris sent the following message to the campus community on July 3, 2024. – Ed.

Dear colleagues,

I write to share that Mark Gulesian, Professor Emeritus, Education, passed away on June 30, 2024, at Brookdale Senior Living in Williamsburg, VA. He was born Jan. 20, 1935, in Newtonville, MA. His parents, Doris and Manuel Gulesian, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife Jean of 64 years, his daughters Gwen Shevchik (Greg) of Howell, MI, and Ann McAteer, of Williamsburg, VA, and grandsons Peter McAteer (Stephanie) of Williamsburg, VA, Alex Shevchik (Rachel) of Wyoming, MI, and Matthew Shevchik (Madison), of Detroit, MI.

A native of Massachusetts, Professor Gulesian received his BA in English from Tufts University. After service in the U.S. Army, he taught high school English in Rochester NY, and Sudbury, MA, for eight years before earning a doctorate from the University of Massachusetts. He began teaching at William & Mary in 1970, retiring as a full professor after 29 years. While at William & Mary, Prof. Gulesian worked closely with English teachers in public school systems from Virginia Beach to Richmond, as well as with both undergraduate and graduate English students at William & Mary who were preparing to teach English. He founded, directed, and taught in the Eastern Virginia Writing Project for twenty years.

Prof. Gulesian served on the Williamsburg/James City County School Board from 1989 to 1993. After retiring from William & Mary, he enjoyed landscaping and gardening as well as digital photography and researching family history. He also enjoyed woodworking and had made several pieces of furniture over the years. Listening to classical music was always a joyful experience for him, whether on the radio or at a concert. An avid reader, he read particularly historical non-fiction. What he most enjoyed was being a grandfather and hanging out with friends, both old and new. Those who knew him will remember him for his keen sense of humor and wit. 

Visitation will take place this Friday, July 5, 2024, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., at Nelsen Funeral Home, Williamsburg VA.

Best,
Peggy